Red wine-sourced antioxidant
resveratrol – found in the skin of red grapes and wine – can amplify and extend
the beneficial effects of anti-diabetic drug Metformin, says a new peer review
study.

The review, peer-reviewed
and published in European Endocrinology, showed evidence that
resveratrol could inhibit diabetic nephropathy (a kidney disease), improve
cardiovascular health and prevent diabetic retinopathy - a condition where
small blood vessels of the eye rupture resulting in loss of vision loss and sometimes
permanent blindness.

Researchers from
Virginia-based Biotivia Labs assessed a series of human clinical trials carried
out at the Albert Einstein Medical College between 2005 and 2014.

In the first trial, a daily
500 mg dose of resveratrol was found to slow down the progression of
prediabetes into diabetes mellitus, while a second pilot study showed a daily
dose of 1-2 g of resveratrol improved glucose metabolism and vascular function.
Further trials revealed additional preventative and therapeutic qualities.

Taken in conjunction with
Metformin, resveratrol was also shown to delay and even prevent some of the
more serious ensuing symptoms suffered by diabetic patients.

The authors wrote: “The in
vitro and in vivo evidence underlying resveratrol’s ability to
attenuate blood glucose levels and reduce hypertension, inhibit insulin
resistance and beneficially modify the ratio of plasma high-density
lipoproteins (HDLs) to low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and triglycerides,
clearly identify this compound as a potentially effective and safe adjunct
treatment of type-2 diabetes for patients who are being treated with Metformin
and related glucophage-type drug.”

They added that
resveratrol's beneficial effects go beyond those of Metformin by lowering blood
pressure, decreasing body weight, and attenuating both HDL and triglyceride
cholesterol levels.

“Given the absence of
observed adverse effects attributed to this compound after more than 10 years
of investigation, coupled with clinical evidence of its efficacy and safety,
the use of resveratrol as a nutritional supplement is well justified in
patients with type-2 diabetes.”

“A case now exists to
support the enhancement of existing national healthcare systems’ diabetes
prevention and treatment programmes via augmentation with a resveratrol-based
nutraceutical component.”

Metformin is the most
commonly prescribed type-2 diabetes treatment worldwide, according to the study,
and is also used to slow the progress of cancer, reduce heart disease and limit
the symptoms of Alzheimer's.

It first appeared on the
market 80 years ago as a treatment for metabolic disorders. It is now one of only
two anti-diabetic drugs on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) list of
Essential Medicines.